Baker women fall to Sterling

The Baker University Wildcat women regained their long-range shooting touch, but couldn't keep pace with Sterling College in a 74-61 loss Tuesday at the Collins Center.

It was Baker's first home game of the season and three Wildcats responded by scoring in double figures. Junior Rachel Richard of Osage City and sophomore Molly Ediger of Prairie Village gave the Cats some scoring punch off the bench with each making two three-pointers. Richard led the Cats with 12 points and Ediger added nine.

The Wildcats made less than 20-percent of their three-point attempts in their first two games of the season, but made six of 15 versus Sterling. It wasn't enough to overcome Sterling's dominant trio of forwards that scored 55 points.

Seniors Courtney Hodges of Topeka and Gretchen Patty of Wichita added 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Wildcats.

Baker defeated Hillsdale Baptist College 70-39 Friday in Moore, Okla. Senior Jessica Pontious of nearby Enid, Okla., came off the bench to score 24 points and grab six rebounds. Patty scored seven of her 11 points at the free throw line and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. Senior Erin Robinson of Topeka had five steals to lead a stifling defense.

The women started the season on Nov. 4 with a 79-63 loss to Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City. Four Cats scored in double figures, led by Robinson with 15. Robinson made three three-pointers, grabbed six rebounds and handed out five assists. Junior Ashley Ohlman of Emporia had 10 points and six assists. Centers Pontious and senior Kristen Crites of Junction City had 12 points apiece.

After three games, Pontious is leading the Cats in scoring with 12 points per game. Seven other players are averaging more than five points per game. Patty has a team-high 21 rebounds.

Baker will face Park University and Ottawa University in the Benedictine Tournament Friday and Saturday in Atchison. The Wildcats' next home game will be at the Baker Classic on Nov. 19.